With the release of version 9.2, Telegram totally protects users’ anonymity when using its app. Up until now, the site required a phone number to register an account, even though the user might choose to keep that number private from their contacts. With the update, having a Telegram profile is no longer required to have a SIM. Of course, this is a significant advantage.

For a new account, Telegram does not require a SIM card, but it does need a phone number. The answer is to log in using blockchain-powered anonymous numbers available on the Fragment platform. As a result, auctions start at $19.91, which represents the cost of the added anonymity.

In addition to the update regarding account opening, Telegram 9.2 adds the following new features:

Topics 2.0

The previous update gave admins of large groups the option to organize discussions into topics, merging classic internet forums with the latest in messaging technology. Today, topics become even more powerful – and are now available for groups of 100 members or more.

Groups with topics open in a sleek two-column mode, so you can access your other chats as quickly as before. To switch to the latest topic straight from your chat list, simply tap the new button in the preview.

Groups now have a default topic called General, which holds the group’s service messages and pre-topic message history. This topic is available for all group members so they can find older messages, but admins can rename the topic or hide it from the main list.

To quickly view all the latest messages at once, you can switch to ‘View as Messages’ mode. Every message in that mode now has a button showing where it was posted – and you can tap it to go straight to that topic.

To help you navigate the list of topics, badge counters for topics you have already visited will use a bolder accent color, while ones you’ve never opened will use a lighter color.

Auto-Delete All Chats

Telegram introduced self-destructing messages all the way back in 2013. Users can delete any messages they send or receive for both sides without leaving a trace. They can also set up auto-delete timers to clean up individual chats after a period of time.

Today they’re expanding your control over your digital footprint into the future. You can now set a global auto-delete timer to automatically remove messages in all new chats.

Existing chats will not be affected, but you can easily expand your auto-delete settings to any of them from the new menu in Settings > Privacy & Security > Auto-Delete Messages.

Anti-Spam

Being one of the top-5 most downloaded apps in the world also makes Telegram one of the top-5 most desired targets for spammers. Huge Telegram chats sometimes rely on third-party anti-spam bots to help admins keep them clean. Such opt-in bots can be efficient because they are not constrained by Telegram’s commitment to user privacy and can afford to be more proactive than the built-in anti-spam systems.

Now admins of groups with over 200 members can choose to unleash the full proactive power of Telegram’s own algorithms – turning on the new Aggressive mode for the automated spam filters. Group admins can report any false positives right from their Recent Actions tab. This will help users to be safer i the future.

Temporary QR codes

Telegram users that have a public username can generate QR codes to quickly connect with people around them.

Now you can generate a temporary QR code if you don’t have a username and are hiding your phone number from everyone. Scanning the code will let people instantly add you as a contact without knowing your phone number.

Both on the Telegram portal and in the Google Play Store, the most recent update of Telegram is accessible. To have access to all the new features, simply download that version.